Violin making is a very traditional art/craft. Construction of the first modern violin is often credited to Andreas Amati, the patriarch of the famous Amati family of luthiers, or stringed instrument makers, who were active in Cremona, Italy until the 18th century. Fegley’s Joseph P. McDevitt, a violin maker in the Philadelphia area, has the knowledge of these old masters at his fingertips and can help you select a violin with playing qualities that perfectly suit your tastes.
As you can imagine, learning to become a luthier is best done as an apprentice to someone who is a master of the craft. Joe was traditionally trained at the elite North Bennet Street School in Boston, and worked closely with both Marco Coppiardi, a master violin maker from Cremona, Italy, and Hans J. Nebel, a world-renowned violin restorer. Joe’s commitment to quality is firmly rooted in his many hours behind the workbench and the music stand.
At Fegley Instruments & Bows in Reading, PA, we specialize in hand-crafting and restoring violins, violas, cellos and guitars, as well as in violin setup and sound post adjustment. Whether you are a budding string musician or a concert violinist, we can assist you with an instrument that has the playability, projection, response and quality of sound that will help you create beautiful music.
No two violins are alike, and each instrument has unique acoustical characteristics. Even those that are mass-produced sound different from one another because of the nature of wood.
Here are some things to look for when buying a high-quality violin, whether you are a beginner or a pro:
If you are searching for a violin maker in Philadelphia who is passionate about his craft, we welcome you to Fegley Instruments & Bows where you can compare multiple handmade violins and find one that will suit your needs for a lifetime.